Vimal and Chaitra were working from home when Rani and Prabhakar arrived to visit the couple. Chaitra hugged her parents and Vimal took their blessings before they invited them to the living. Vimal informed the maid to serve refreshments and saw Chaitu holding both her mother and father’s hands.
Rani: We were so worried about you and couldn’t stay back home Chaitu. I know Vimal is taking good care of you still, are you taking your tablets on time, are you eating healthy foods ?
Chaitra: Mom, he has measurement cup to give me my favourite chats. He is too stingy and heartless.
Prabhakaran: Good he did that Chaitu, don’t you think you should consider the health of your baby ? Its just matter of few months and then you could eat anything you want.
Vimal: She steals the snacks at night when I m asleep so I had to cut down the quantity dad.
Chaitra: I will handle him later, you will tell me how are you both ?
Rani: We are fine and we are happy after seeing you both. Your aunt wanted to visit you but we denied her.
Prabhakar: I don’t want anyone from her family around you anymore.
Vimal understood they were talking about Pratik’s mother and looked at Chaitra who was already looking at him. They hadn’t revealed anything Pratik had done to the family except for Rishi, Aadhi and Hari so Chaitra smiled at her parents trying to be normal.
Chaitra: By the way, why did she want to meet me ?
Rani: She said her son got a bail sometime back and now he is missing.
For a moment Chaitra’s eyes flickered towards Vimal who cleared his throat and turned his attention to Rani.
Chaitra Mv: What is he hiding ? He said, that bastard was arrested then how is that he is missing now ?
Vimal: He might have done something and got beaten by someone. Lets not speak about him mom.
Rani: You are right, I m sorry Chaitu. Now tell me, do you want to come stay with us for few days ?
Chaitra looked at Vimal who immediately shook his head to deny. Prabhakar who saw their interaction chuckled and pat Chaitra’s head.
Prabhakar: I can understand that you don’t want to leave your husband so take care and call us anytime you need us.
Vimal: Mom, dad you both could stay here as long as you want.
Rani: We don’t want to third wheel so we would keep visiting often to check on her.
They had lunch together before Rani and Prabhakar took their leave. Chaitra immediately called Vimal to their room and he knew what was coming. He followed her and as soon as they were in the room Chaitra stood with her hands folded to her chest.
Chaitra: You said, he was arrested then how come he is missing honey bear ?
Vimal: I did file a complaint Ira but we left to Greece the very next day so I don’t know what happened to him.
Chaitra: Vimal, truth or a week on the couch in the living.
Vimal: Ira, don’t be cruel. A week in the living ? No fucking way.
Chaitra: So you choose truth so spill it now.
Vimal: I informed Rishi and he said he will handle the case but unfortunately when he was being taken to the court he tried to escape and got hit by a truck. The Inspector would be in trouble so I withdrew the case and there was no evidence of his arrest.
Chaitra: How much did you pay the truck driver ?
Vimal: Not me, Rishi paid for it.
He stopped abruptly realizing he blurted out and Chaitra shook her head and walked away from him. Vimal rushed behind her and hugged her from behind.
Vimal: Babe.. baby.. please listen.
Chaitra pushed him and glared at him.
Chaitra: Why would you do that Vimal ? You killed someone.
Vimal: So what did you expect me to do ? That fucking bastard was behind my wife not once but twice and you wanted me to be a saint and forgive him and watch him coming behind you once again ? Over my dead body Ira.. Be happy that I didn’t kill him with own hands and trust me, I would have done that happily that day if the police had not arrived on time.
Vimal held her shoulder and Chaitra saw pure rage in his eyes.
Vimal: You are my love Ira.. you are mine. Rishi got his history and you are not the first girl he tried to harrass. Your uncle had paid a huge money to the victims and got him free from the cases. I can’t let some psycho wander out there waiting for his chance to get you. You are precious Ira and I meant it when I said that will protect you at any cost. I love you Ira.
Chaitra leaned over his chest and Vimal felt her tears wet his shirt. He pulled back from the hug and wiped the tears of her eyes.
Vimal: Consider a day is taken away in life with every drop of tear you shed and the reason being me.
Chaitra immediately stopped crying and wiped her face with his sleeves. Vimal chuckled and kissed her temple.
Chaitra: I love you honey bear.
Vimal: Yes, I love you baby
Chaitra smiled at the way he cared for her and the way he expressed his love.
Four months passed and now Chaitra was 7 months pregnant. Life was blissful to Vimal and Chaitra. Knowing his fears Chaitra took extra care of her beside Vimal caring for her. She never went out without Vimal even if it was to meet her parents and friends. She made sure they were enjoying the phase rather than him being in a constant fear for her and their babies.
Aadhi and Malu invited her for girl’s night and shopping but Chaitra denied and personally explained the situation which they understood.
Right now they were in the office working on an important deal and Vimal was frustrated that Chaitra had decided stay with him until he finished up with his work. He knew her very well that she was tagging along with him so that he would be at peace.
She entered his room and sat on the couch with her mobile.
Chaitra: I spoke to Aadhi and she was so worried about Rishi’s grandpa’s health.
Vimal: But Rishi said he was doing fine yesterday.
Chaitra: Yeah, but today, his vitals started dropping again. The heart attack was severe, and given his age, his body isn’t responding well to the treatment. Shall we met him on way back home ?
Vimal: Sure, Give me an hour and we shall leave. I can manage from home from tomorrow.
Vimal’s mobile started blaring and he saw it was from Rishi and answered it immediately. On hearing him he rose to his feet in shock and looked at Chaitra seated on the couch looking at him.
Chaitra: What happened, is everything ok ?
Vimal: Rishi’s grandpa passed away.
Chaitra gasped on the news and Vimal informed his parents and Chaitra’s parents on way to their home. They got changed into comfortable clothes before they drove to Raghavan and Vani’s home. They saw the whole family standing devastated on the loss of Rishi’s grandpa.
Chaitra saw Aadhi crying beside the freezer box in which lay the old man who had carried a deep bond with everyone, the man who played vital role in everyone’s life. Aadhi hugged Chaitra and sobbed unable to get over the loss.
Vimal stood next to Rishi and pat his back as he watched him wipe the tears from the corner of his eyes. Rishi moved out with Vimal to the garden and Rishi scratched his eyebrows.
Rishi: Vimal, return home with Chaitra. Its not good for her to be here at this state. We are here to take care of everything and I will call you if I need your help.
Vimal: Are you mad Rishi ? How do you expect us to leave you and Aadhi at this situation ? Chaitra would be fine and if she needs rest, I hope you won’t mind her staying in one of the guest rooms.
Rishi: Vimal, will you please listen to me ? Leave now and we shall talk later.
Vimal: Whats the matter ?
Rishi: Dad has sent lawyer to get Manjari on parole this morning since he wanted her to meet grandpa. I just got the information that the process are over and she is on way with few constables. She will be staying for a week before she will taken back to the asylum.
Vimal: So ? what does it have to do with us ? Her presence will never be a problem for me anymore so you relax .. wait a minute…but Rishi.. Chaitra is pregnant.
Rishi: Exactly Idiot, its not about who gets affected by whom. Chaitra is pregnant and lets not risk anything for her even if the risk is 1%. It is better for everyone.
Vimal: You are right and I don’t want the history to repeat but please do call me if you need me. I can let Chaitra’s parents stay with her and I will arrive to help you.
Rishi: I know you would do that but now leave and I will take care if someone ask for you.
They walked back in and without anyone noticing Vimal signalled Chaitra to follow him out. As soon as she was out he held her hand and guided her to the car.
Chaitra: Vimal, are you mad ? Where are you taking me now ? Aadhi needs us idiot.
Vimal: Something urgent Ira, we can’t stay here. Lets leave now.
He opened the door for the passenger seat and helped her sit and he got in the driver seat and drove back out of there.
Chaitra: What happened ?
Vimal: Manjari is out on a parole. She is on way here and Rishi felt it would be better we leave and I felt he is right considering that you are pregnant now. Lets not risk, we had a situation once Aadhi was pregnant and I don’t want the history to repeat.
Chaitra: You think she would have not changed ?
Vimal: I don’t give a fuck about what happens to her. I m just worried about you and our babies.
Chaitra leaned on his shoulder and he kissed her crown while caressing her baby bump. He felt a sudden kick and Chaitra gasped to it.
Vimal: Hello babies, calm down, Why are you both so active, isn’t it your nap time now ? Calm down and we shall talk and trouble mommy at our usual time. Let my baby rest now, she has been at office all day. Be good darlings, daddy love you both a lot.
Chaitra: I hate and love at the same that our babies has already started listening to you.
Back at Raghavan and Vani’s home Rishi carried Ridha and called Aadhi to his room. He wiped Aadhi’s face with a towel and placed Ridha in her arms.
Rishi: Aadhu, relax and feed Ridha. I’ll put her to sleep later, and either Aunty can stay with her, or you can stay back and rock her to sleep. She’s beginning to get fussy around unfamiliar faces.
Aadhi bobed her head and started feeding Ridha while Rishi walked out and returned with a glass of water for Aadhi.
Aadhi: Let mom stay with Ridha. I don’t want to be locked here and miss being around grandpa for the last few hours.
Rishi: Aadhu, Would you listen to me baby ? Manjari is on her way here and I don’t want you or our princess away from my sight. I have hired gaurds and they will be watching over. We shall leave tomorrow after grandpa’s funeral. I will inform Malu to be around you all the time when I m away.
Aadhi: Rishu, we can’t leaving anytime soon. Uncle and aunty will need us especially uncle.
Rishi: Aadhu, I will talk to them and if needed I will stay during the day time and you shall stay with Vimal and Chaitra. I don’t want any argument over this.
The way Rishi spoke gave no room for discussion and Aadhi knew he would listen when it concerns her safety so she bobed her head.
Rishi kissed her forehead and saw Ridha was already asleep so he carried her from Aadhi and laid her carefully on the bed. He walked out and called Kavitha and let her stay with Ridha and ordered one of the guards to watch the floor.
Rishi and Aadhi stood as the former employees, business men and a lot of people started pouring on to pay the last respect to the business men Prithiviraj.
Aadhi felt Rishi’s hold on her wrist tighten and saw Manjari enter with a blank expression on her face. She stood by the freezer box for a while before she sat on the couch without uttering a word to anyone.
Rishi walked on egg shells since the moment Manjari walked in. He had his eyes on Aadhi and on the gaurd who was on the first floor guarding his room. Aadhi pulled him to the kitchen and passed him a glass of water.
Aadhi: Stop worrying about us and focus on grandpa and his funeral.
Rishi bobed his head and the night passed in a blink. His grandpa’s funeral was carried out in the morning.
